Matchday 1 of the 2026 World Cup comes to an end today, as the final eight teams play their first matches of the tournament.
One of those Group K matches, Portugal vs. DR Congo, will make history in more ways than one.
It marks the first-ever meeting between the two countries, as DR Congo makes its first World Cup appearance since its debut in 1974. The match will also tie Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo with Lionel Messi as the only two players to ever appear in six World Cup tournaments.
In addition to Ronaldo headlining Portugal’s squad, the team also features Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes, who recently broke the Premier League’s record for most assists in a season.
Portugal vs. DR Congo: what to know
- What: FIFA World Cup 2026, Group stage
- When: June 17, 1 p.m. ET
- Where: NRG Stadium (Houston, Texas)
- Channel: FOX (English), Telemundo (Spanish)
- Streaming: DIRECTV (try it free)
To qualify for this year’s World Cup, DR Congo had to beat Cameroon, Nigeria and Jamaica; they did it fielding a team stacked with players who spend most of the year playing for European clubs.
Here’s everything you need to know about Portugal’s first match in the World Cup 2026, including where to tune in.
Portugal vs. DR Congo time
The Portugal vs. DR Congo match at the World Cup is scheduled to kick off at 1 p.m. ET today, June 17.
How to watch Portugal vs. DR Congo for free
If you don’t have cable or an antenna, you’ll need a live TV streaming service to stream the World Cup for free.
DIRECTV is our favorite service for watching sports live for free. Right now, you can take advantage of a five-day free trial before saving $30 on your first month. We recommend the Choice plan, which includes FOX, FS1 and Telemundo as part of its 125+ channels.
You can also stream World Cup matches for free with a free trial of FOX One. After three days, you’ll pay $19.99/month and gain access to every World Cup match.
More coverage on the 2026 FIFA World Cup
Portugal World Cup schedule
| Date and time | Opponent | TV channel |
|---|---|---|
| June 17, 1 p.m. ET | DR Congo (World Cup – Group K) | FOX |
| June 23, 1 p.m. ET | Uzbekistan (World Cup – Group K) | FOX |
| June 27, 7:30 p.m. ET | Colombia (World Cup – Group K) | FOX |
DR Congo World Cup schedule
| Date and time | Opponent | TV channel |
|---|---|---|
| June 17, 1 p.m. ET | Portugal (World Cup – Group K) | FOX |
| June 23, 10 p.m. ET | Colombia (World Cup – Group K) | FS1 |
| June 27, 7:30 p.m. ET | Uzbekistan (World Cup – Group K) | FS1 |
Portugal World Cup roster
Goalkeepers:
- Diogo Costa
- José Sâ
- Rui Silva
Defenders:
- Nélson Semedo
- Rúben Dias
- Tomás Araújo
- Diogo Dalot
- Renato Viego
- Gonçalo Inácio
- João Cancelo
- Nuno Mendes
Midfielders:
- Matheus Nunes
- Bruno Fernandes
- Bernando Siva
- João Neves
- Rúben Neves
- Vitinha
- Samú Costa
Forwards:
- Cristiano Ronaldo (captain)
- Gonçalo Ramos
- João Félix
- Francisco Trincão
- Rafael Leão
- Pedro Neto
- Gonçalo Guedes
- Francisco Conceição
DR Congo World Cup roster
Goalkeepers:
- Lionel Mpasi
- Timothy Fayulu
- Matthieu Epolo
Defenders:
- Aaron Wan-Bissaka
- Steve Kapuadi
- Axel Tuanzebe
- Dylan Batubinsika
- Joris Kayembe
- Chancel Mbemba (captain)
- Gédéon Kalulu
- Arthur Masuaku
Midfielders:
- Ngal’ayel Mukau
- Samuel Moutoussamy
- Theó Bongonda
- Gaël Kakuta
- Noah Sakiki
- Aaron Tshibola
- Charles Pickel
- Edo Kayembe
Forwards:
- Nathanaël Mbuku
- Brian Cipenga
- Meschack Elia
- Cédric Bakambu
- Fiston Mayele
- Yoane Wissa
- Simon Banza
Why Trust Post Wanted by the New York Post
This article was written by Angela Tricarico, Commerce Streaming Reporter for Post Wanted Shopping, Page Six, and Decider.com. Angela keeps readers up to date with cord-cutter-friendly deals, and information on how to watch your favorite sports teams, TV shows, and movies on every streaming service. Not only does Angela test and compare the streaming services she writes about to ensure readers are getting the best prices, but she’s also a superfan specializing in the intersection of shopping, tech, sports, and pop culture. When she’s not writing about (or watching) TV, movies, and sports, she’s also keeping up on the underrated perfume dupes at Bath & Body Works and testing headphones. Prior to joining Decider and The New York Post in 2023, she wrote about streaming and consumer tech at Insider Reviews.
[Notigroup Newsroom in collaboration with other media outlets, with information from the following sources]
